After President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday afternoon, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. This move, which follows weeks of internal party conflict over Biden’s viability as a candidate after a poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, has elicited a range of responses from both sides of the political aisle.
In his statement, Biden expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Republican critics of Trump, such as Liz Cheney, were quick to commend Biden. Cheney, a prominent critic of Trump and former member of the January 6 committee, praised Biden for his years of service and his decision to step aside. “The framers of our Constitution knew that our republic would endure only if our presidents have the character and honor to put duty ahead of self-interest,” Cheney wrote on X. “President Biden deserves our gratitude for his decades of service to our nation and for his courageous decision today.”
Mitt Romney, the outgoing senator from Utah, also offered warm words for Biden. “I respect President Biden,” Romney said. “His decision to withdraw from the race was right and is in the best interest of the country.” Romney emphasized that, despite their political differences, they found common ground on several key issues, told CNN.
Other Republicans, like Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, echoed similar sentiments. Kinzinger highlighted the contrast between Biden and Trump, calling Biden’s decision an “honorable and selfless act” and criticizing Trump’s self-centered approach.
However, the reactions were not uniformly positive. Trump’s loyalists, including his vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, seized the opportunity to call for Biden’s resignation. “If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?” Vance posted on X, questioning Biden’s fitness for office.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this sentiment, portraying Biden’s withdrawal as a sign of disarray within the Democratic Party. Johnson argued that the Democratic Party’s actions undermined the votes of millions of Americans who supported Biden. “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately,” Johnson declared, told Politico.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took a different tack, criticizing the Biden administration’s policy record without calling for his resignation. McConnell highlighted issues like inflation, border security, and foreign policy, arguing that the country cannot afford another term of what he described as failed leadership.
In the meantime, a political action committee previously supporting Nikki Haley has shifted its support to Kamala Harris. Originally called Haley Voters for Biden, the group rebranded as Haley Voters for Harris following Biden’s endorsement of his vice president.
As the Democratic Party prepares for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where the nominee will be officially named, the political landscape remains highly dynamic. Biden’s exit from the race and endorsement of Harris sets the stage for a closely watched and contentious election cycle.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024